Nopal Cactus (Prickly Pear) Contains Histidine (Essential Amino Acid)

(*) See References and Disclaimer at the bottom of the page. 

Nopal Cactus (Prickly Pear) contains histidine, an amino acid that is essential for both infants and adults (it was once thought to be essential only for infants) and is needed for building protein(1*). It has many roles in the body including tissue repair and maintenance of the myeli. Myelin is an insulating cover that is vital to the operation of the body's entire nervous system(2*).

Histidine is also a precursor to histamine which is a compound that the immune system cells release when an allergic reaction happens. It plays a role in producing gastric juices as well as protecting the body against radiation(3*). This compound is abundantly found in hemoglobin and a lack of histidine may lead to nerve damage (especially auditory nerve damage(4*)). 

 

Sources of Histidine

Dairy, Fish, Meat, Poultry, and Nopal Cactus from Natural Home Cures Freeze Dried Nopal Powder Capsules (Prickly Pear).

     Source References

(1) Wikipedia: Histidine
(2) WebMD: Histidine
(3) The Biology Project: Histidine
(4) LiveStrong: What Foods Contain Histidine